New Door

Well, tomorrow I begin a new job as a receptionist for the Amherst County Public Works Dept. I'm looking forward to this opportunity:) I've been off since June and have truly enjoyed the time off but it is time to go back to work. Hopefully, the hours for this job will be set soon and I will have a regular schedule. At the most, I will be working 20 hrs/wk. This job is only 10 min. from our house which is an added blessing:) So, here's to learning new things and meeting new people! I'm just hoping I don't forget to go to work (HA)!

Thanks for stopping by:)

Willa Jean

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I LOVE the colors in this card, they make me smile! Hopefully, this will have the same effect on the recipient:)
This card was make for 2 challenges and came together very easily.
I have accumulated alot of goodies and was able to pull out items that I
have had and never used:) Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Sunday News

We met my brother and his wife in Lexington Thursday to bring my dad here for the week. They were going to ABC for a visit. Love having dad here:) He is very low maintenance. He gets to spend time with Meghan, Shawn & Emily and the Fab 4. The main word that comes to my mind on these visits is the memories that his great grandchildren will have of him coming down and spending time with them.
I have thrown myself into making cards, taking pics of them and loading them onto my gallery at SCS. I'm not sure if I'm a slow learner or this process just takes a while, but I have spent A LONG time on the comp. learning about photoshop. So thankful for dear friends who have sent me links to resizing photos to a DIY light box. My SU friend is going to work with me on Tuesday with my camera.
This blog http://365cards.blogspot.com/ issues daily challenges. I took a leap and did every one for Sun-Sat! So much fun!!
Emily is coming over for dinner tom. p.m. and yes, she set the menu:)
Our youngest granddaughter, Emmie, turns 2 on Tuesday! She is our monkey:) I think she would climb the walls if her mom let her:) She is the tiniest of all the children and she knows she is spoiled:) Looking forward to her party on Thursday.
Looking forward to watching Andy Griffin, Walker, TX Ranger, and whatever else my dad wants to watch and a trip to Wal-Mart (prob. 2) will be in the plans for the week:)
Thanks for stopping by.
Willa Jean

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Here's my card for Mercy's Sketch Challange. This is my first one...I took the plunge!

This card came together quite quickly. You can never have too many birthday cards:)

supplies: SU Tangerine Tango and retired dsp CS; SU River Rock stamp pad; SU All the Cheer II retired stamp set; SU River Rock Ribbon; buttons from my stash.

Thanks for looking,

Willa Jean Coates

My first card challenge:)

Worked on some cards this a.m. Decided to participate in a challenge.

This is the card I submitted. It's going to someone very special:)

supplies: white cs, SU seeing spots, SU soft sky & certainly celery ink, button

Thanks for stopping by:)

Willa Jean

Birthday/Reformation Day

Last night, the family celebrated my birthday and Reformation Day. Halloween has become so gory and dark that the Morrisons have decided not to participate in Trick/Treat. We totally agree. So, we brought over candy for the gr-kids to enjoy. We had snacks and just a great time of being together. Emily had baked my dessert==a brownie that was beautifully decorated:) The gr-kids helped me blow out the candles. Birthdays are so much fun with the little ones:) In addition to the dessert, Emily gave me a fall candle; Meghan made me a sweater (Morrison Original); John & Ellen gave me a plant-that I promised I wouldn't hurt:)

Shawn talked to the older 3 about Reformation Day and how Martin Luther took a stand for the truth...the only way to get to heaven was thru the acceptance of faith in the sacrifice of God's Son.

So thankful for our family!

I am blessed far more than I deserve

Willa Jean

Beautiful Day

My sister-in-law came to visit last night:) Barry was off today (a Sat. is very rare) so he hit the golf course this a.m. and Bonnie & I hit some yard sales. I found great bargains and am truly sold/addicted to yard sales! With 4 grandkids, it is the only way to shop!! They have all their snow bibs and only have 1 pair of snow boots to buy. I might end up going to Once Upon a Child and getting them for Lottie. Did you know they only cost $8.50 there?
We went over to the Morrisons so Bonnie could visit with the children b4 going back tom. Emily received her b-day present and loved it:) Meghan will be 26 (wow) in Nov. so she also got her b-day gift.
Barry took me to Red Lobster for dinner!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!!! We do not go out to eat, so it's a real treat to do that.
Thanks for stopping by:)

Willa Jean

Intimidation/conquering fears

Well, I took the plunge and marked some majors off my to-do list which included starting an etsy shop and uploading cards to SCS. My main issue is taking pictures. So, I'm fiddling around with this and following advice from others. I will tell you one thing, this really takes a lot of time. I'm assuming that will be cut down the more I get familiar with everything.
Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to leave a helpful comment.
Willa Jean

First Etsy Card

Where have I been....

After many months, I have returned to the blogging world!! Let's see where I've been: dealing/grieving over the sudden illness and loss of my mom in June and subsequent ending to my position in Nelson County (budget cut); beginning with the transition of my dad coming to VA and staying one wk/mo and adjusting to being a stay-at-home wife and most recently a new grandson which is due in Feb and Emily getting her position with Amherst County as a Pals Aide. So, life has been busy with lots of adjustments but they have definitely been brought upon by Divine Intervention.
I LOVE being home and so happy that I can help with my dad (84). He lives with my brother & his wife in WV. So thankful he is in good health and can handle the monthly visits. He loves seeing his granddaughters and great grandchildren and I might add they really enjoy him too:)
I am also in the process of starting an etsy store. This process is very intimidating to me. Right now, I'm focusing on getting better pictures of my cards.
Anyways, I'm back and looking forward to new challenges:)
Willa Jean

First On-Line Class

I have been wanting to take an on-line class on an array of topics dealing with my love for paper crafting. Well, I have succeeded in enrolling in a class that would help me use of my stash. I'm quite excited and will be posting projects.
Have a great week!
Willa Jean

Snow Days/Creating Days

Another snow fall for VA. Indeed it does create a picturesque view. However, when you are married to a mail carrier a different perspective plays into a 'snow fall':) He is able to take an 'emergency vacation day' which makes both of us happy and safe.

Emily is home with us so her dad can take her back/forth to work. I enjoy her company and this house is having its share of extra laughter.

So, I've been doing some cleaning and crafting (really more crafting) and wanted to share with you several cards that I've been making. I really need to work on scrapbooking but somehow the cards always win out.

Well, my friends be safe & warm.

Willa Jean

A Mother's Heart

....loves, hurts, celebrates, longs, yearns for her children no matter their age.
A very long time ago, I really thought when my daughters reached adulthood that my role as 'mom' would be over. How could I have been so naive to think that? I have always been pretty protective of my girls and have had to learn to 'let go'. I wish I could say that 'letting go' part was easy..it wasn't. I have learned alot about myself during this transition. I have to let them find their own way. Man, is that hard! Our oldest is a mom training her 4 young children to love God, honor their parents, love & be kind to their siblings, responsibilities, etc. There have been many times I have prayed that God would give her the physical, emotional and spiritual strength that she needs on a daily basis to take care of her household. There have been many times I wish she had an 'easier' life. I've also witnessed her selfless actions, her kind and loving words, and yes many times where she has to consistently be the disciplinarian. I could go on and on. Describing my oldest always comes down to this: God has called her to be a wife and mom (the highest calling) therefore my heart overflows with happiness for her. My youngest' heart's desire has been to teach. Letting her go has been the hardest. Meghan has her husband. Emily is striving to make it on her own. All she wants to do is teach. The excitement in her voice before/after she subs is pure joy. She has a very strong work ethic and has learned to 'pinch' those pennies. My heart aches for her and wish I could get her that teaching job NOW. We have to remind ourselves that God has a plan for Emily. The tears of uncertainty may fall but I know He is in control.
As much as we moms want to control everything and have it all arranged, I know that this mom must humbly bow to my Father and give my daughters to Him on a daily basis. Fear and worry does not fit into God's Plans.
I am so very proud of my daughters!
God has blessed me far more than I deserve.
Meghan & Emily's mom

Emmie's Name Frame

I made name frames for each of our grandchildren. Unfortunately, the older 3 I did not photograph. Meghan hangs hem in their bedrooms so I try to coordinate the colors. Loved making these and its something they can keep forever. My photography definitely needs help:( If anyone would be interested in an inexpensive gift, please email me.

Will be back later,

Willa Jean

A Great Find

My to-do list was quite long today and I had many errands to run. I wanted to show you a picture of what came home with me this afternoon. Isn't that the cutest cradle? The wood's appearance makes it look quite vintage. I have no 'eye' for antiques so I have no idea if this is one or just 'old':) I don't care-see I have 3 grand-daughters and of course thought immediately of them and how much fun they would have putting their baby dolls to sleep in this cradle. However, it would not be uncommon for any of them to personally try it out:)

My plans are to get or make some type of mattress for it. If you know me, I will not be able to wait and will go ahead and give it to them so they can enjoy it 'as is'.

I have a terrible time keeping things and not giving items as soon as I have them. Anybody else like that?

If you live locally, you will need to check out Encore Thrift Store, in Madison Heights. This is where I found this beauty and several other things.

Have a great weekend!

Willa Jean

New shelves

I know to the ordinary person they are just shelves but to me it means more room for my crafting stuff:) We tried to move the book case so we could put the shelves side by side, but needless to say, it was too heavy-my man says, "you've got a lot of stuff!" So we put one shelf over the main table I work at and the other one over the table that holds my cricut and sizzix machine. I'm still looking for wire baskets that I could hang under the shelves but Lowe's didn't have them. I want to get some "s" hooks that could maybe hold some little buckets--not sure yet. My punches may be moving too. Decisions, decisions, decisions:) I REALLY need to clean/sort out the bookcase shelves then I'll take a picture.

I really need to make a few cards before it gets too late tonight.

Thanks for looking!

Willa Jean

Busy Family Day

We had our fab 4 spend the night with us last night. We are trying to utilize our downstairs more for the grandkids. So hubby set up the 2 toddler beds, 1 crib mattress and 1 pack and play. I took the couch:) One of the perks of being Meme/Papa is that they can stay up later and many more:) So, 9:15 everyone's in their perspective beds. Lot (2 yrs. 4 mos.) is on the mattress on the floor she is always asking to be covered up-if she would stay still long enough-she would stay covered up:) This girl should be my other daughter's (Emily) child. She is her aunt's guts! Love that gorgeous girl!! I have to get a recording of her voice--she has the cutest voice. She begins talking one way and then finishes the sentence with different voice reflections. Most of the time she talks with her lips pursed together:) Charity (4 yrs. 7 mos) is our 'close to perfect' granddaughter. She lays down very quiet and says nothing--she knows the rules, well she just knows everything!, Cal (3 1/2) is total boy but has the gracious, loving, soft heart of his dad. He was looking at his BIG John Deere book that his other grandparents bought him for Christmas..he is all about them tractors:) Emmie (13 mo.) she is just too stinkin adorable, so much smaller than the others were at this age..but very smart. The only time she fusses is when she's hungry or tired. Well, not exactly sure on the time but Cal was still singing Christmas Carols until close to midnight, of course, he was signing them quietly:) Papa & Emmie went to sleep around the same time..I think Papa might have beat her:) The other girls went out by 11:00. Emmie & Cal woke up at 7:00 talking to each other and then the day took off running.
We love them soo much but they can tire (sp?) us out:) The things they say just crack us up. Emmie was climbing on the first step and I said, "Emmie, you'll going to fall and crack your head open." Charity said, "Meems (new name for me), she can't crack her head open, only eggs crack!" Do you think she's ever cracked an egg? Yes, many times helping her mamma.)
Well, I better go and finish some laundry and put some pack & plays away, oh and the toys:) I'm going to post a few pics prob. tom. I need to check with their parents and see if they mind:)
Good night!
Thanks for stopping by:)

This day..

is filled with alot on my to-do list. Soooo, why am I still on the computer? Man, this thing is such a time-waster. With that said, I'm going to get to that list!
Hopefully, I will not be pokey and get everything done so I can do some crafting.
Have a great day!

The first day of 2010...

was welcomed with spending time with my man. We don't get many days together because his days off are Tuesdays & Sundays so we love it when we get an extra one:) We did manage to go out for a little bit. He delivers mail to Kroger and wanted to show me the deals and there were quite a few that we were able to snag. Enjoyed a Starbucks treat-I'm not much on coffee; I always get something that has tons of sweetness. Our last stop was Lowe's. Quite exciting to purchase some shelving for my craft area.
We watched the WV football game-enough said:( The remainder of the day spent with watching movies and my man cooking dinner.
We are very much home-bodies and for some probably lead a 'boring' life but, we LOVE our life!